A GARDEN OF OPPORTUNITIES

         Much, if not all, of what gets planted in the natural world does not have a choice in the matter. The Seed does not have any choice in when it is planted, where it is planted, how it is planted, who plants it or the purpose of its planting.

    Now a tree or any other healthy plant will contain a strong root system. There are usually tells or signs in nature if a tree or plant is healthy and this reflects on the root system. The environment the seed developed under - the favorable conditions that kept the growth process flowing, proper soil and few weeds are all contributors to a healthy tree or plant.

    The human being has Seeds that he/she can deposit every day - words and actions. The difference here is that people have the power of the deposit or the planting. Once our word-choice or act has been decided and seeded, either on purpose, casual conversation or in jest - the seed is planted.

    Many human words and actions will have a lasting impression - some positive, some negative. The roots of a lot of word-trees go down deep and are permanent. We need to make good choices before we speak or act so that our seed is productive. 

    In Matthew 13 Jesus tells the parable of The Sower. In this illustration, Jesus mentions the farmer "scattering" the seed in the various places - the path, the rocky places, thorns and good soil. So, the intention of seeding in all these areas is noble, but the reception, development and results are going to be different.

    To combat this perhaps we should do a little prep work in the field first. Perhaps we should get to know people in each category that is listed here by Jesus and loosen their soil with conversation about God. Maybe fertilize their environment with kind deeds. Just choose to be there for each kind of person.

    The one along the path may be confused or disoriented. He/she may be on the verge of having their joy snatched away by the enemy. Choose to be there for these people.

    Those that are experiencing rocky times, whether it be financial hardship or relationships need counsel and simple venting to someone. Choose to be that ear for those who need to cry out.

    There are many who are feeling the pain of life - physically, mentally and spiritually. These thorns need to be pushed back and wounds tended by our choosing to be that comfort.

    The individuals who are having a solid life with many blessings need to keep thanksgiving on the tip of their tongues. We need to be there for these people to assist in this development and get them involved in the previous three scenarios as soon as possible.

    The land could use some plowing before the seed goes out and in for maturation. Getting to know someone and setting a foundation of genuine care and authentic relationship is crucial to planting God-inspired words and actions. Be careful of The Seed(s) you plant, God through us plows, plants and grows His Garden Of Opportunities. 

HIS LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

         I was sitting in on a business class recently where the professor mentioned organizations usually don't have leaders that are good managers and managers that are good leaders, you most likely will have one or the other and hopefully you have the right role in the correct business position (i.e. CEO, Program Dir., Staff Manager, etc..).

    Although it may be rare, I believe leadership and managerial qualities can both reside within a person of the highest authority and responsibility at any organization. 

    A leader coming from a previous managing background or position would seem healthy and supportive for the leadership role. Managing before leading means delegating responsibilities within a team, assuring cohesiveness on the squad and supplying the group with the tools to keep them productive. All these managerial duties are hands-on or personal and are an important foundational element as a leader.

    When a leader comes from a managing background, he/she is now in a state of example-ism, if you will. Within and outside the company the leader is tasked with being the correct example to lead the organization successfully forward. And as a help, the leader  may pull from the manager experience, but this time as leader, he/she may suggest certain people to take lead on a project. Many times leaders have made the decision for an individual, group, project or company, they just have to lead the team to the same conclusion; get them to arrive on the same page.

    The best leader that led by example and managed perfectly according to the business plan was Christ Jesus. The Business Plan was two fold - to seek and save the lost, plus destroy the works of the devil (Luke 19:10; 1 John 3:8). 

    He displayed, in words and deeds, His Kingdom compassion toward others, no matter their societal standing, as a requirement of The Business Lifestyle. He also managed many disciples, twelve in particular, that gave up their occupations immediately to follow Him. But not only did they follow Him, they joined Him in fulfilling His mission, though the full extent of it was veiled to them until the Resurrection. "Even Jesus knew that He could not change the world alone. Whoever forms a team to carry out the best ideas wins. Jesus formed a team." (p.90-91, Jesus CEO, Laurie Beth Jones)

    The wonderful news that came with the fulfillment of Christ's mission was the solidification of The Disciples belief in Jesus as Lord Messiah at His Resurrection and the paved way for The Business or Kingdom of God to grow and expand with other like-minded people. Jesus physically had to leave to begin sitting by "The Chairman of The Board", also known as Father God. However, He sent The Holy Spirit to continue leading The Business and its people in all truth. Jesus also entrusted the employees, workers, managers and leaders of His business with great responsibility - to continue and even do greater things than He did. "Jesus did not hoard or guard the power of His office. He kept teaching and sharing and demonstrating it so team members would learn that they, too, had the power to do what He had done." (p.151, Jesus CEO, Laurie Beth Jones)

    An interesting tidbit about Jesus was that He managed from the inside out, not outside in. He did not allow outside influences govern how He might manage His team. For example, when taking care of the five thousand hungry people, Jesus did not bring in cooks from around the area nor send His disciples to a cooking seminar. He got them involved right then and there with Him and He miraculously provided the surplus needed. He kept the managing within the team going outward. 

    Other examples of Christ managing are with Mary and Martha, plus the sending out of the seventy-two disciples to spread the news of the kingdom of God being near. We can see that same kind of intimate, managing care when He counsels Mary and Martha's fuss over who is doing the right thing - working or chilling out with The Lord. Then in Luke 10, we see Jesus managing a larger team as He delivers explicit instruction to seventy-two disciples about witnessing concerning the Kingdom of God.

    Whoever said, "Do as I say, not as I do." was the worst leader ever. We have the importance of words as an example to follow in a leader, but when there are no words the visual sense, the observable power takes over and the leader better be leading by example. When we are kids, we mimic the behavior of our parents or adults we deem as leaders or in authority. We do not grow out of this, for when we arrive in the workforce and decide on a faith lifestyle, leaders and leadership is key in following an example and keeping us moving. Managers deal mainly with what has been already decided from a leadership team and delegate  assignments to the correct individuals to oversee them accomplished. 

    Jesus was and is the best Leader-Manager Combo ever. If we ever desire to be effective for The Business/The Kingdom and fall in line with the training as future priests and kings ruling with Christ, then we must learn from His Leadership And Management.